More Valentine's Day royalty

Friday, February 17, 2012

TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS Bill Burkhardt, 83, of Albrightsville, and Frances Vargo, 85, of Lehighton, were chosen as King and Queen of Hearts at the eighth annual Valentine's Day Party Tuesday at Blue Mountain Health System's Adult Day Services Center in Palmerton.

By TERRY AHNER tahner@tnonline.com

His and her royal majesty.

That's what it must have felt like for Bill Burkhardt and Frances Vargo on Valentine's Day after being chosen by their peers as King and Queen of Hearts.

That dynamic duo's majestic moment took place at the eighth annual Valentine's Day Party at Blue Mountain Health System's Adult Day Services Center in Palmerton.

Roxanne Downs, director of Adult Day Services, said the selection process was simple: a picture of each of the client's were posted on the wall to be chosen by their peers.

"They enjoy it," Downs said. "They enjoy voting for it."

When all was said and done, Burkhardt, of Albrightsville, and Vargo, of Lehighton, earned the popular vote from their fellow clients.

Burkhardt, 83, said he was "surprised" to have been selected as King.

Vargo, 85, added, "yes, I am glad" to have been chosen as Queen.

Other activities included entertainment by Cindy Robertson, as well as a special Fruity Valentine Day Cake for the clients, Downs said.

The Adult Day Service Center of the Blue Mountain Health System provides state-licensed respite care for older adults.

In addition to free time and ample rest periods, clients participate in a wide variety of activities based on their particular abilities, including daily exercise, crafts, games, puzzles, pet therapy, cooking and baking, gardening, dancing, bingo, needlepoint and sewing, music and sing-alongs, "theme weeks" and field trips.